Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jason Lowe has confirmed he is close to making his first-team return after spending months on the sidelines with an injury.

The academy product has endured two years of injuries and his latest knock has seen him make just four league appearances this season.

He has played in just 18 matches in the last two years but his foot injury is now behind him. Lowe underwent two operations to correct the issue but he has now played two games for Blackburn’s Under-21 side.

The 24-year-old has played 45 minutes in one game and an hour in the other and his focus is now on a first-team return.

Competition for places is now fierce at Ewood Park due to the form of Jordi Gomez, Matt Grimes, Elliott Bennett and Darragh Lenihan but Lowe is just focusing on his ambitions.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Being inside the gym and the physio room is never great, but I’ve got confidence in my own ability and what I’m about so I’m going to get back out there, give it what I’ve got and if the manager wants to play me I’m available.

“Hopefully I’m over the nightmare and I can just enjoy my career now going forward.

“I think there’s eight games left now, when we go back it’s almost April and I know there’s a final game in May, depending on how well we do of course, let’s not leave ourselves out of it (the play-offs) until it’s mathematically impossible.

“The new manager has come in, I’ve worked with him briefly and I like the way he works so hopefully I can get back in there and get back playing.”